School employee on leave after allegedly hitting students with belt

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SEATTLE -- An employee at a Seattle private school has been placed on administrative leave after allegedly hitting two students with his belt during a before-school program last Wednesday.

According to the Seattle Police Department's report for the incident, two St. Therese School students were roughhousing, throwing pencils and ignoring the morning program supervisor's requests to knock it off.

The supervisor, who was filling in for the regular morning program staff member, took off his belt and hit both students in the buttocks, according to the report.

Police were called to the school, and the employee was sent home. Both students remained in class.

Officers were only able to reach the parent of one of the students. She said she wanted to handle the incident with the school and not pursue any charges, according to the report.

Principal Theresa Hagemann said the employee was immediately put on administrative leave following the incident.